Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, leading one of the largest Christian denominations globally, including the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in America.
Following a significant absence due to the previous archbishop’s resignation over a child protection scandal, the Anglican Church, the third largest after Catholicism and Orthodoxy, has welcomed a new leader. This choice could complicate relationships within the church, particularly given the conservative views held by several African and Asian congregations affiliated with the Church of England.
Dame Sarah, 63, previously served as the Bishop of London, but her selection has drawn scrutiny from a former nurse and survivor of child sexual abuse. This individual expressed concerns that Mullally has not sufficiently distanced herself from her predecessor. A report from a notable newspaper characterized her as engaging with various political and societal challenges as a “theological liberal.”
The selection committee responsible for her appointment consisted of 14 members from the Church of England, led by a past director of MI5—a significant position in Britain’s internal security. The Prime Minister offers guidance to the monarch, who officially confirms the appointment.
In her past, Mullally signed a letter opposing the deportation of immigrants and chaired a group advocating for the blessing of same-sex marriages within the church, calling it a “moment of hope.” While she has made controversial remarks regarding abortion—aligning with a pro-choice stance—she has expressed that her views are somewhat nuanced.
In 2012, she wrote that she sees herself as pro-choice but acknowledged that her perspective can shift toward pro-life in personal contexts, advocating for choice in others’ situations as well.
One publication reported that while she supports professional LGBT initiatives, there’s criticism regarding the current parliamentary discussions around the Suicide Support Bill in the UK.
Mullally’s appointment marks a significant milestone in a long-standing campaign for female priests within the Church of England, which began allowing women to be ordained in 1994. The first female bishop was consecrated in 2015, although some traditionalists within the church still uphold a male-only clergy.
The Church of England spans 165 countries, representing approximately 85 million Christians. Each branch operates independently, but they acknowledge the Archbishop of Canterbury as a central figure uniting their bishops.
However, dissent is already brewing among certain Anglican groups in Africa and Asia, suggesting that divisions may emerge. A global fellowship within the Church of England announced that it would disengage from the institution following Mullally’s appointment, expressing sadness over the decision.
This group voiced concerns that, while some may welcome the historic appointment, many believe in adhering to a male-only priesthood as prescribed by the Bible. They highlighted that the new archbishop has supported non-biblical teachings on marriage and sexual ethics.
They called for the Archbishop to reconsider her stance and work toward healing divisions within the church. The fellowship plans to convene a conference in Nigeria the following year to further discuss these issues.
